FLIX New Releases on Demand and in Select Theaters
“Buoyancy”
The sobering statistic that closes director Rodd Rathjen’s impressive debut informs us that currently around 200,000 boys and men are believed to be essentially enslaved to the Thai fishing industry. That number is staggering, and that Rathjen was inspired by the accounts of real-life survivors gives the film its raw authenticity, forceful pacing and moral clarity. But this macro-mosaic effect also contributes to a certain blankness, as though in doing justice to the stories of thousands, Rathjen has somewhat undersold the personal story of its single protagonist.
“I Am Woman”
A bit of a letdown, Unjoo Moon’s first narrative feature, with a screenplay by Emma Jensen (whose prior one for “Mary Shelley” reduced another interesting creative life to familiar tropes), has fair lookalike Tilda Cobham-Hervey as expat Aussie singer Helen Reddy, often dubbed by fair sound-alike Chelsea Cullen. They do competent work, as do the design team tasked with re-creating a roughly quartercentury span on modest means. But this pedestrian biopic doesn’t really convey the distinctiveness of Reddy’s appeal, let alone package it in a way likely to trigger a significant revival of interest in a major star largely forgotten now.
“Sibyl”
How often do we see a movie psychotherapist who’s actually good at their job? Genre film is peppered with on-screen couch doctors whose unorthodox methods or blatant non-professionalism keep the story rolling. Played with smart, subtle verve by Virginie Efira, the title char
acter in Justine Triet’s “Sibyl” is a notable addition to the cracked-shrink club, and the fact that she’s cribbing her clients’ confessions for the lurid novel she’s writing is only the start of it: Triet’s chic, blackly comic psychodrama piles up bad decisions, admiring the teetering spectacle of its chaos as it goes.
Exclusive to Netflix “The Babysitter: Killer Queen”
History repeats itself with a sequel from whose screenplay writer Brian Duffield is pointedly absent, and the charms of the predecessor once again get lost amidst bombast, witlessness and self-referentiality. As this dud piñata dumps its contents of over-the-top gore and lowbrow humor, fans of the original will no doubt tune expecting more high-grade guilty-pleasure fun, only to get way too much of a no-longer-very-good thing instead. The any-dumb-ideathat-occurs-to-us-makes-finalcut approach can be liberating when at least some of your jokes land. But here they almost never do.
“The Social Dilemma”
Many a personal device will be at least temporarily darkened by “The Social Dilemma” — though whether it’s already too late to stem, mid-course, the societal disaster the film charts is just one of many questions it raises. This potent documentary lends a podium to various experts who are certain the pervasive influence of under-regulated social media is destroying civilization from within. The problem, to paraphrase Mark Twain, is that it’s much easier to manipulate people than to persuade them they’re being manipulated. It’s a thesis that doesn’t seem so improbable after 93 minutes of this densely packed yet lively and entertaining documentary.
ities, a 5-acre corn maze, hayride through the farm, pumpkin picking, 100-foot corn shute slide, pumpkin bowling, more. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Through Nov. 1. Hellerick’s Family Farm, 5500 N. Easton Road, Doylestown. $8.99 and over. 215-766-8388. hellericksfarm.com.
High School Football Watch Party: View the Central Catholic vs. Whitehall football game on the HD videoboard. Advance tickets required. 7 p.m. Coca-Cola Park, 1050 Ironpigs Way, Allentown. $5. fevo.com/edp/ High-School-Football-NJp3UcN8. Jurassic Quest Drive-thru Experience: 9 a.m.-8 p.m. See Thurs. Nazareth Area Restaurant Week: See Thurs.
South Bethlehem Greenway Farmers Market: Vendors offering fresh produce, restaurants offering prepared food and food trucks. 2-6 p.m. South Bethlehem Greenway, Polk Street, between East Third and East Fourth streets, Bethlehem. Free. facebook.com/ events/709195449920149/.
St. Nicholas Greek (Take-Out) Festival: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. See Thurs.
VIRTUAL EVENTS
Friday Night Live at The B!: Virtual event featuring area writers who have participated in the studio’s annual exhibit combining visual and literary art. 6 p.m. Studio B, 39A E. Philadelphia Ave., Boyertown. Free. facebook.com/StudioB.Boyertown.
Story Time Online: Toddle/preschool story time on the library Facebook page. 10:30 a.m. Palmerton Area Library, Free. 610-826-3424. palmertonarealibrary.com/.
Virtual Outlet Performance “Vote?”: Story is told through the eyes of Nicole Harrison, an 18-year-old registered voter. Today is Election Day, but Nicole would rather party with her friends than stand in line to cast her vote. Suddenly, she finds herself in the Valley Forge winter of 1778 along with the tattered troops of George Washington. As Nicole moves in and out of history, she experiences the trials and tribulations of all those who came before her in the fight to vote. To view the performance, sign on to zoom.com and use meeting ID number 850 9076 2498 with passcode 005162. 8 p.m. DCP Theatre, Telford. Donations accepted. 215-234-0966. dcptheatre.com/.
Saturday BOOK EVENTS
Drive-In Library Book Sale: Drive or walk up to the area in front of the library to purchase a bag of books for kids and adults as well as popular themes. Cash only. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Bethlehem Area Public Library, 11 W. Church St. $5, no change given. 610-867-3761.
FAIR/FESTIVAL
Pa. Renaissance Faire: Wizarding & Time Travelers: Adult costume competition, Nipperkins Costume
Exhibition, Parade of Hounds Costume Competition. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Also Sun. Mount Hope Estate & Winery, 2775 Lebanon Road, Manheim. $29.95; $15.95, ages 5-11. 717-665-7021. parenfaire.com.
HALLOWEEN
Brinton Lodge Ghost Tour: Explore the lodge where decades of hauntings, a storied history, and original architecture from the 1700s make it an unusual landmark in Berks County. Advance tickets required. 9:30 p.m. Through Oct. 31. Brinton Lodge, 1808 W. Schuylkill Road, Douglassville. $20. 888-811-1399. brintonlodge.com/ ghosttours.html.
Jason’s Woods: 7-10 p.m. See Fri. Kim’s Krypt Haunted Mill: 6-11 p.m. See Fri.
Lancaster Field of Screams: See Fri. Night Tours at Eastern State Penitentiary: 6-9 p.m. See Fri. Shocktoberfest: . 5-10 p.m. See Fri.
KIDS & FAMILY
Cherry Crest Adventure Farm Summer Season: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. See Thurs.
Corn Cob Acres: 50 activities throughout themed areas. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Through Nov. 1. Corn Cob Acres, 191 College Ave., Mountville. $13-$17. 717-285-7748. corncobacres.com. Grim’s Fall Festival and Corn Maze: 123g Corn maze, hay ride, cattle train, games, more. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Through Nov. 1. Grim’s Greenhouse and Farm Market, 9941 Schantz Road, Breinigsville. $16.95, unlimited one day access. 610-395-5655. //grimsgreenhouse.com.
Linvilla Pumpkinland: See Thurs. Maize Quest: “aMAZED by Weather”: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. See Thurs. Pumpkinland: Halloween display of cartoon characters, scarecrows, hay hutch and pumpkins, daytime hayride (Sept. 26-Oct. 31; $6) and funhouse, cornstalk maze and Caper’s Castle ($3). 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Through Oct. 31. Colonial Gardens, 745 Schuylkill Road, Phoenixville. Free. 610-948-9755. colonialgardenspa.com/halloween.
Saylorsburg Mazezilla: Corn maze, wagon rides, pumpkin patch, produce stand, pumpkin launch, mountain slide, barnyard animals, more. 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Through Nov. 8. Klingel’s Farm, 415 State Route 115, Saylorsburg. $12; $10. 570-402-7378. mazezilla.com/corn-maze.
Shady Brook Farm Fallfest: 9 a.m.-7 p.m. See Thurs.
Six Flags Thrills by Day: 2-6 p.m. See Fri.
Survival of the Slowest: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. See Fri.
MUSIC
The Allman Betts Band: 8 p.m. Circle Drive-in, 1911 Scranton Carbondale Highway, Dickson City. $175;
$225. circledrive-in.com.
Arts, Music & Action: Performances by alternative, rap and reggae group Space Kamp, roots and rock act Trouble City All-Stars and Mako Swing, dance crews and spoken word performances. Guest speakers include Vic LaBoy, Justan Parker, Arthur Benson II, Yamelisa Taveras and
Norberto Dominguez. Hosted by J Capitol P, with DJ BezMusiq, graffiti wall art by Max Meano and WeL!veTV’s Tim Foster will screen a short documentary, “BikeLife_610,” vendors, more. Benefits Movement Moves Media. 3-7 p.m. Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks, 645 E. First St., Bethlehem. $10. 610-332-1300. steelstacks.org. Glenwood: noon-2 p.m. Quakertown Farmers Market Outdoor Stage, 201 Station Road. Free. 215-536-4115. Naked Jake: 9 p.m. SoMa Downtown Grill, 62 S. Main St., Phillipsburg, New Jersey. Free. 908-213-3500. somagrill.com.
Peak Fest: Dustin Douglas: 1-3:30 p.m. Penn’s Peak, 325 Maury Road, Jim Thorpe. Free. 866-605-7325. pennspeak.com.
Peak Fest: Shellshocked Churchills: 6:30-9 p.m. Penn’s Peak, 325 Maury Rd, Jim Thorpe. Free. 866-6057325. pennspeak.com.
Saturday Evenings under the Arbor: Tony Forliano: Jazz guitarist. Seating for 2-4 people on a first come first serve basis; reservations, groups of 5-7. 6-8:30 p.m. Alba Vineyard, 269 Riegelsville Warren Glen Road, Milford, NJ. $10. 908-995-780. albavineyard.com/.
The Ultra Kings: 6:30 p.m. Weyerbacher Tap Room, 905 Line St., Easton. 610-559-5561.
THEATER
Mid-Life The Crisis Musical: 8 p.m. See Thurs.
OTHER
Autumn Migration Hawk Watch: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. See Thurs.
Bethlehem Rose Garden Farmer’s Market: Local food and specialty products, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Bethlehem Rose Garden, Eighth Avenue. facebook.com/brgfarmersmarket.
Brew at the Zoo: 40 craft beers, ciders and seltzers at sampling stations throughout the zoo and music by Kendal Conrad, Frank Porter and John Rodden. Advance ticket purchase required. 1-4 p.m. Lehigh Valley Zoo, 5150 Game Preserve Road, Schnecksville. $35; $14.50, designated drivers. 610-799-4171. lvzoo.org/brew. Canal Life Boat Talk: A member of the canal boat crew talks aboard the docked Josiah White II on why we have canals in our area and what life was like as a “canaller.” Through Sept. 30. Hugh Moore Park, 2750 Hugh Moore Park Road, Easton. 610-9233548. canals.org.
Craft Marketplace: 60 skilled craftsmen offering handcrafted items including unique sterling and gemstone jewelry, wire and bead jewelry, fabric crafts and clothing, woolen wear made from alpaca, angora, and llama, bird houses and feeders, theorem painting, soaps and balms, leather work, broom corn, and more, food vendors, tour of the turn-ofthe-20th Century mansion. Benefits Pennypacker Mills. 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Pennypacker Mills, 5 Haldeman Road, Schwenksville. Free. 610-489-9732. friendsppm.org.
Comedy at PNC Plaza: Mary Radzinski: 8-9:30 p.m. PNC Plaza, 711 E. First St., Bethlehem. $12; $10, students, seniors; $9.50, members. steelstacks.org.
Death and Dying Cemetery Tour: Stroll through God’s Acre, Bethlehem’s oldest cemetery, and hear the stories of the men and women who once lived in the town, learn about their funerary traditions, and discover the people behind the names of this historic cemetery. 3-4:30 p.m. Through Oct. 31. Historic Bethlehem Visitor Center & Museum, 505 Main St., Bethlehem. $15; $9, ages 4-12. 610-882-0450. historicbethlehem.org.
Easton Farmers Market Chile Pepper Day: Sweet and hot varieties available from vendors. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Scott Park, 130 Larry Holmes Drive, Easton. Free. facebook.com/ events/210394590359650/.
Festival Unbound-Rumi/Nation: p.m. See Fri.
Festival Unbound-Sustainability Forum: High schoolers from across Bethlehem reflect on the massive changes in our world. Rain date, Sun. 6 p.m. Touchstone Theatre, 321 E. Fourth St., Bethlehem. Free. 610-8671689. touchstone.org.
Fiber Arts in our Lives: Demonstrations of spinning, weaving, flax processing, rope making, basket making, quilting, more. Rain or shine. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm, 347 Quiet Valley Road, Stroudsburg. $10; $5, ages 3-12. 570-992-6161. quietvalley.org. Hellerick’s Adventure Farm: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. See Fri.
Jurassic Quest Drive-thru Experience: 9 a.m.-8 p.m. See Thurs. Lehigh River Sojourn: 50 mile guided paddling and bicycling experience, beginning in Jim Thorpe and ending in Easton. Registration is available for 1, 2, or 3 days, with lunch, bikes, canoes, safety guides, and river programs included. Paddlers can bring their own kayak. Educational programs are offered each day, including wildlife presentations and a mural unveiling at Sand Island, Bethlehem on Sept. 21, with artist Matt Halm. Registration required by today. Through Mon. Wildland Conservancy, Emmaus. $55; $35, ages 5-14; $8, camping per night. 610-965-4397. wildlandspa.org/lehighriversojourn/. Lehigh Valley Greenways Festival: Hands-on activites, nature walk, stream study, food truck, more. noon-4 p.m. Covered Bridge Park, 4060 River Road, Allentown. Free. 610-923-3548. lvgreenways.org.
Meet the Mules!: Meet Hank and George, the mules that pull the Josiah White II canal boat, a canal boat crew member shares the important role they played in the history of canals. 1:30-4 p.m. Hugh Moore Park, 2750 Hugh Moore Park Road, Easton. Free. 610-923-3548. canals.org/events/ meet-the-mules-2020-08-29/. Monarch Tagging: Join local butterfly enthusiast Doug Burton as he captures and tags Monarch butterflies heading to Mexico for the winter. Registration required. 10 a.m. Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center, 400 Belfast Road, Nazareth. Free. 610-746-2801. events.dcnr.pa.gov/event/mon
arch_tagging_4436. Nazareth Area Restaurant Week:
See Thurs.
Perkasie Farmers Market: Local farmers and food producers bring locally grown and Certified Locally Grown produce, eggs, cheese, meat, mushrooms, honey, coffee, cookies and cakes, preserves, olive oil, sweet treats, flowers, plants, and more, as well as skincare and home-made craft items. 9 a.m.-noon . Seventh and Markets streets. 215-257-5065. perkasieborough.org/parks-recreation/farmers-market/.
St. Nicholas Greek (Take-Out) Festival: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. See Thurs. Valor Motorcycle Run & BBQ: Eighth annual Harry Philips Ride in support of Paul’s House begins at Pocono Mountain Harley Davidson, 110 Motor Hill Lodge Road, Tannersville and proceeds to American Legion Post 927 for a family party (2 p.m.). Registration begins at 10 a.m. Benefits Valor. 10:30 a.m. American
Legion Post 927, Route 209 and Fairgrounds Road, Gilbert. $25; $10, passenger, party only. 570-807-3334. ampost927.com.
VIRTUAL EVENTS
Watson Adventures’ Around the World Virtual Family Scavenger Hunt: Explore the world’s best museums and historic locations via website links, searching for answers to tricky questions. 5-6:30 p.m. Virtual Tour Game, Philadelphia. $19. 877
Watson Adventures’ Escape to the Museum Virtual Scavenger Hunt: Search for the strangest and funniest details in art hidden on museum websites, and earn points by answering tricky brain teasers, and puzzles and more. 7-8:30 p.m. Museum
Virtual Scavenger Hunt, Philadelphia. $19. 877-946-4868. watsonadventures.com/hunt/escape-to-themuseum-virtual-scavenger-hunt/. Watson Adventures’ Murder at the Art Museum Virtual Scavenger Hunt: A killer is loose and it’s up to you to stop him. Follow the clues, find the art on museum websites, and answer questions to solve the crime. 9-10:30 p.m. Virtual Museum Scavenger Hunt, Philadelphia. $19. 877-9464868. watsonadventures.com/hunt/ the-murder-at-the-art-museumvirtual-scavenger-hunt/.
FAIR/FESTIVAL
Pa. Renaissance Faire: WIzarding & Time Travelers: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. See Sat.
HALLOWEEN
Kim’s Krypt Haunted Mill: 6-10 p.m. See Fri.
Night Tours at Eastern State Penitentiary: 6-9 p.m. See Fri.
KIDS & FAMILY
Corn Cob Acres: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. See Sat.
Grim’s Fall Festival and Corn Maze: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. See Sat. LawnVentures: Family friendly art activities held on the lawn. noon-3 p.m. Allentown Art Museum, 31 N. Fifth St., Free. 610-432-4333. allentownartmuseum.org.
Linvilla Pumpkinland: See Thurs. Maize Quest: “aMAZED by Weather”: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. See Thurs. Pumpkinland: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. See Sat.
Saylorsburg Mazezilla: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. See Sat.
Shady Brook Farm Fallfest: p.m. See Thurs.
Six Flags Thrills by Day: 2-6 p.m. See Sat.
Survival of the Slowest: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. See Fri.
MUSIC
Peak Fest: Craig Thatcher Trio: 1-3:30 p.m. Penn’s Peak, 325 Maury Road, Jim Thorpe. Free. 866-6057325. pennspeak.com.
THEATER
Mid-Life The Crisis Musical: 2 p.m. See Thurs.
Shawnee Original Playwrights Contest Winners: The festival will be a combination of virtual and open air performances. “The New Pasteur” by Michael McGoldrick (Sept. 20; $10) and “Call Her” by Paul Bowman
(Sept. 27; $10). 6 p.m. Through Sept. 27. SawneeCraft Brewery, 552 River Road, Shawnee on Delaware. 570-4215093. theshawneeplayhouse.com.
OTHER
Autumn Migration Hawk Watch: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. See Thurs.
Death and Dying Cemetery Tour: 3-4:30 p.m. See Sat.
Hellerick’s Adventure Farm: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. See Fri.
Hugh Moore Park History Walk: Guided walking tour to explore its industrial ruins, learn about the Lucy Furnace and Glendon Iron Works, the Abbott Street industrial complex, and telegraph communications. 1-2 p.m. Through Oct. 18. Hugh Moore Park, 2750 Hugh Moore Park Road, Easton. 610-923-3548. canals.org.
Jurassic Quest Drive-thru Experience: National 9 a.m.-8 p.m. See Thurs.
Lehigh River Sojourn: See Sat.
St. Nicholas Greek (Take-Out) Festival: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. See Thurs.
VIRTUAL EVENTS
Watson Adventures’ Escape to London Virtual Tour Game: Go on a virtual tour of London on a scavenger hunt that shows you the best of London from the comfort of your home. 5-6:30 p.m. Virtual Tour Game, Philadelphia. $19. 877-946-4868. watsonadventures.com/hunt/escape-to-london-virtual-tour-game/.